"Attack on America." "America Responds." "America at War" - We've all seen the headlines and heard political leaders discuss what the American people will or will not tolerate. Yet the term "America" is deceivingly complex. True, we are bound together by the flag, symbols of government such as the congress or White House, and historical figures such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We are also bound together by common experiences - whether achievements such as the moon landing or disasters such as the attack on the WTC and Pentagon. But if we look below the surface, it appears as though different people have different interpretations about the meanings of these symbols and events. For example, for some, the flag represents hard-won democracy, even the revolutionary spirit of our forefathers; while for others, it represents authority, righteousness, and the world's leading military power.

To people outside America, the range of meanings can be even greater. Some eagerly embrace American popular culture - blue jeans, Coke, rock and roll, while others see these same elements as slowly destroying their own native cultures. Some see America's involvement in various military operations around the world as reassuring, a good neighbor helping to maintain the peace; others see these same activities as an unwanted intrusion, a bully forcing his viewpoints on those too weak to defend themselves. What makes the situation so complex is that these different feelings can coexist in the same country and even in the same person, with for example, the older generation supporting American military presence but disliking American popular culture; or the younger generation wearing jeans and listening to rock and roll as they protest American military interests in their part of the world. This complexity underscores the wide-range of meanings that are bound together by the symbols of America =8A and raises the question of how to interpret actions (whether positive or negative) directed towards those symbols. We know what we mean by the flag or the White House, but are these the same meaning that others have?

One additional complexity is worth mentioning. For many people in the world, America represents the modernity associated with the 20th Century: mass production, a consumer culture, a high living standard, a waste culture, and so on. In fact, these developments are common to other parts of the world as well (think of Europe and Japan). But somehow, "America" serves as the shorthand to describe both the wonders of 20th century development and the contradictions and problems. Particularly in those parts of the world that are far removed from mass production and consumerism, America represents both the dream and curse of the modern.

Questions to Consider

• How far can we push the relationship between America as a symbol and America as a people? How might we complicate that relationship?
• Can you think of different meanings that symbols such as the American flag might represent for people, both in America and outside?
• What examples can you give of mixed feelings for America - liking one aspect while disliking another?
• Who's America is represented by the Pentagon?
• The World Trade Center is in America and many thousands of Americans died in it; but it is also the headquarters for many international companies, and nearly one thousand foreigners also died in it. How can we interpret the WTC - as an American symbol? A New York symbol? A symbol of international capitalism? or something else?

Further Reading

• Islam and the West are inadequate banners, Edward Said, The Observer, 09/16/2001
• America inspires both longing and loathing in Arab world, John Burns, New York Times, 09/16/2001
• American Studies Association
• European American Studies Association

Back to definitions